Barleywine Appreciation Thread (2024)

Wonder how it would be after 4 or 5 years? Either the best barleywine of the year, or it would fall apart into an utter disaster

 

A beer to unify the friendly rivalry between the Barleywine and Imperial Stout threads.....Imprint Beer (Hatfield, PA) - The Other Side of Dispair. Blend of BBA Barleywine and BBA Imperial Stout.

Aroma is a mix of bourbon, toffee, dark chocolate. Taste is similar, with a little raisin and fig in the finish. Slick and oily mouthfeel. A little boozy but that's fine.

 

Suarez Poet’s Walk

When one of my favorite brewers makes one of my favorite styles, I take notice… especially when it’s not the sort of thing they’d normally make. This is the second release/version of this beer. I had the original version a few times. The price I paid for this beer was totally ridiculous. Live a little, but “one and done” for this release.

I am also especially attracted to this beer because it goes against two current trends in a way that suits me. In this case, the brewer was interested in making a beer to be aged in glass (not barrels). Not only am I not crazy about the way barrel aging a barley wine has become the default, I also really value what glass bottles can bring to a beer (an extremely undervalued thing right now). This beer was aged by the brewer for 2.5 years in the bottle before release. So, with all that being the case, you would think I’d be thrilled with their approach, but I’m actually not crazy about it. It strikes me as a little funny for a brewer to age a beer that long and allow that much oxidation. But I get it - this is what the exacting brewer wants for the beer - and I can respect that.

The beer is super fruity and has a hint of tartness. There’s some bitterness in the finish but this takes some time to reveal itself. The drinkability is outstanding for something that could easily be very imbalanced. It’s a wonderful beer. I was curious if it would be much different from the first release, but it doesn’t feel different (just going on memory).

 

This

as well I would love to see the oak FM too.

Enjoy

 

Tree House Mighty Oak

It’s snowing here in Southeast Pennsylvania, so there’s no better time for some BiL. I decided to try one our host @Beersnake1 opened the thread with.

It pours clear dark amber with a thin, but creamy-looking light tan head. The head has excellent retention for the style, which contributes to some decent lacing.

Citrus, vanilla, butterscotch, leather and deciduous Eastern forest all compete in the nose.

It’s super woody tasting throughout, with vanilla cutting through up front and strong citrus notes on the backend — more grapefruit rind than just orange or lemon, contributing to a bitter aftertaste. Reminds me a bit of the Oak Jai Alai or a bourbon barrel aged IPA.

It has a slick, medium-bodied feel with strong, tight carbonation that’s on the soft side of fizzy.

This delivers as advertised by being very wood-forward. A very enjoyable sipper that showcases what wood can do for a light-colored beer.

 

Central Waters Brewing, the Milwaukee, WI, location. Peach Brandy Barrel-Aged Barleywine. A masterpiece.

 

Haven't had this, but I definitely like their regular BW.

 

Enjoying Woodlot from Watson Farmhouse Brewery courtesy of the extremely generous @VodkaPong87 thank you!



Never heard of the brewery but this a banger. There is a potent molasses note that just latches onto the upper molars and won't let go, loving that. I also get plums, raisins, praline, smooth bourbon, and caramel. This is excellent.

 

Lolev Demeter



This is a bit different, in my limited barleywine experience. Tastes of peaty scotch with caramel sea salt in the finish, and some definite alcohol despite being "only" 10.5%. As it warms that alcohol becomes more prominent. Not my favorite; glad I opted for a single.

Their website says "Cognac, candied orange, and caramel", so maybe I was in the ballpark. Don't recall ever having cognac so I guess I should check that out sometime.

 

From the cellar - 2015 Great - near still - sweet caramel and dark fruits - zero hops/bitterness - barrel has faded but the flavor is clean/wonderful. Enjoying on this snowy NE evening.

 

Wax Wings/Standard Mead ‘22 Hive Gospel (English Barleywine blended with Weller barrel aged barleywine conditioned on blueberries, Mexican vanilla beans, and meadowfoam honey). The blueberry has faded, but what’s left is a world class barrel aged barleywine. Rich caramel and Raisinets for days. Thick, sweet, and wonderful barrel character. Wax Wings barrel program is top notch.

 

Wabasha Brewing Co. - Night Queen barleywine

2021, probably. 8.6%, kinda light and fruity. Good stuff.

 

Enjoying this fine offering from Poland
Cheers all

 

Picked up this year's Bigfoot yesterday, tasting good!

 

First sighting of the season, score!!

 

Drinking down the stash. To me, scotch ales are to barleywine how brown ales or even some porters are to stouts. Or a pale ale to an IPA

 

I'm drinking a 16oz can of Outlaw Barleywine from Arbeiter (Minneapolis)
It's good: Pine hops, dark fruit with rye spice.
Very nice head on this one with for me a soft pour. nice lacing
Nice smooth mouth feel after it warms up